Euro 2020 Group C: The Netherlands silenced Europe with stellar performances

Was there ever a doubt that the Netherlands would top Group C? Yes! There were loads of doubt cast upon their run in Euro 2020 but a string of brilliant attacking display sees them progress with a perfect group-stage run.

The biggest upset was how Group C ended after three matchdays, with Austria edging out Ukraine for a second-place finish. Alaba and co. make history with their qualifications, and as per the captain, want to continue on their historic run.

Glady for the Ukrainians, their tournament has not ended and thanks to some crazy results on the closing night of the group stages, they are the fourth and final third-placed team to qualify for Euro 2020 Round of 16.

Combined XI (4-3-3) from Group C

Goalkeeper: Maarten Stekelenburg (Netherlands)

Defenders: Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands); Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands); Stefan Lainer (Austria); David Alaba (Austria)

Midfielders: Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands); Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands); Marcel Sabitzer (Austria)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (Netherlands); Donyell Malen (Netherlands); Andriy Yarmolenko (Ukraine)

The Dutch stole the show and almost all the spots in Group C’s best XI team. It was quite easy to select with every team losing beside the group winners.

Seven outfielders from the Netherlands make the cut, including their captain fantastic, Georginio Wijnaldum. Three spots are held by the Austrians, with their captain leading by example.

Then we have the solo act from Ukraine, Andriy Yarmolenko. He needed a stronger defence and if he can unleash this side of him in the Premier League, then David Moyes has another secret weapon on his hands.

Group C’s Top Team – The Netherlands

The Dutch came, they saw, and they conquered everything in their wake. With Frank de Boer at the helm plus a shakey run ahead of the tournament gave many the impression this Euro 2020 would be an experience building event for the Dutch – we were very wrong.

Three straight victories by scoring two goals or more. Despite being without both first-choice centre-backs for the opening game against Ukraine and still playing with a formation consisting of three CBs, they managed to only concede two goals.

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To date and at the time of writing this, before Group E and Group F completed their group campaign, Holland is the best-attacking team with eight goals scored during the group stages.

Group C’s Best Moment

Euro 2020 Matchday – Netherlands 3-2 Ukraine – the most entertaining encounter of the group and for the tournament up until the next matchday, Matchday 2, where Germany humbled Portugal 4-2.

The clash saw a rollercoaster of events take place. When the Dutch took a two-goal lead just before the break, we thought then and there, this fixture has been decided. But much to our surprise Andriy Yarmolenko was on hand to give a little hope to those in blue and yellow.

The best Ukrainian at this year’s Euros scored the first and the equaliser by the other fellow that was on top of his game, Roman Yaremchuk. A draw would have been the perfect result for Zbirna – but Holland weren’t having it.

One of Euro 2020’s debutants and another player who is in The Top Flight’s Group C best XI made sure the Netherlands took all three points in the last five minutes of the game.

The last goal of the game by Denzel Dumfries, which completed the five-goal thriller, took the wind out of their opponent’s sail.

The other top moment – saying goodbye to a long-serving Macedonian, Goran Pandev. The player capped off 122 appearances when he took the pitch against the Dutch on the final Matchday for Group C and has hung up his boots.

Group C’s Worst Moment

Hard to pick a moment when there was so many fun and memorable ones. If one has to pick it would be the two disallowed goals for North Macedonia, especially the one of Goran Pandev.

It would have been a great party piece and a great parting gift to remember his final days on the international stage.

Not only that but also it would have been a contender for the goal of the group stages. He deserved that little bit of memorabilia.

Surprise Factor

Never expected Austria to get into second place over Ukraine – and it must be regarded as one of the biggest upsets of the cup so far. However, it must be stated, if there was ever a time the Austrians were to progress automatically, now would be that time.

They have one of the strongest squads they will have for a long time perhaps and are led by one of the best defenders in world football today.

Their next one is going to be their hardest matchup and if they are to go toe-to-toe with the Azzurri, they must be excellent in every aspect of the game.

They will challenge the best all-round team of the group stages who are yet to concede a goal and be stopped from scoring.

How bad was the fourth-placed team?

The fourth-placed country in Group C enjoyed their first major tournament – sadly it was not the underdog story we’ve come to love over the years, and North Macedonia were reminded on all three separated occasions of that.

The Macedonians were the first team to get eliminated and equalled Turkey for the most goals conceded at this year’s event. However, they did score two goals, one more than the Turks – so they are rightfully not the worst of all the teams who placed fourth at Euro 2020.

Group C’s Breakout Star

Man… There are so many shouts for this specific accolade but it really can only go to Donyell Malen from the Netherlands.

He and Denzel Dumfries were the final contestants but with Malen only 22 and younger than his countryman, he gets the award for the best young player.

Both are enjoying their first major tournament and both have had a strong hand in their country’s group stage triumph.

All English Premier League

What has made Donyell Malen’s that extra bit special is how he had to work his way into the starting XI and now has left Frank de Boer with difficult decisions to make.

Does he start him or not in Sunday’s Euro 2020 Round of 16 match? Decisions, decisions, de Boer.

Group C’s Best Player – Georginio Wijnaldum

Is there any disputing Gini as the best player of Group C? The man with the captain’s armband has led from the middle of the pitch.

Not only has he pulled the string and dictated how well the game will go for the Dutch but he has also become the first Dutchman to score three or more goals in a group stage since Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He is doing all this from the central area. Making it an even bigger achievement is how he’s switched roles from being a more defensive-minded player at Liverpool to a more advanced midfielder that arrives late in the box to add an extra option for a goalscoring opportunity.

Wijnaldum has started every game for the Netherlands and has taken over the captaincy from the recovering Virgil van Dijk.

He also relieved some of the pressure off manager Frank de Boer, who has been highly doubted since taking over the job from Ronald Koeman, who is now the boss at Barcelona.